Maun Concentrated Solar Power Station
| Maun Concentrated Solar Power Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Botswana |
| Location | Maun, Ngamiland |
| Coordinates | 20°02′14″S 23°24′22″E / 20.03722°S 23.40611°E / -20.03722; 23.40611 |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction began | 2023 Expected |
| Commission date | 2027 Expected |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | CSP |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 100 MW (130,000 hp) |
The Maun Concentrated Solar Power Station [a], is a planned 100 MW (130,000 hp) concentrated solar power station in Botswana. The solar power complex would be owned and operated by an independent power producer, whose identity will be revealed when the ongoing open bidding is concluded. Bids were received until June 2022. The power off-taker is Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), who will purchase the power for integration into the national grid, under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). This power station is being simultaneously developed, together with the 100 MW Letlhakane Concentrated Solar Power Station.[1][2]
Location
The power station would be located in the city of Maun, in Ngamiland, approximately 851 kilometres (529 mi) northwest of Gaborone, the capital and largest city of Botswana.[3]
Overview
The power station will be designed with concentrated solar power (CSP) technology. Under this system of power generation, energy from the sun is trapped by curved mirrors. The light is concentrated to generate heat in the range of 400–500 °C (752–932 °F). That heat is used to heat water to create steam, which is used to turn electric generators. The design may include the use of molten salts technology to store electricity and release it after sunset and/or before sunrise.[4]
Timeline
The tender documents call for the power station to commence commercial operations in the 2026/2027 financial year (July 2026 to June 2027).[1]
Other considerations
As of September 2022, Botswana's national electricity demand was estimated at 550 MW. At that time national generation capacity was 450 MW. The country imports an additional 150 MW from South Africa. The government of Botswana has plans to increase its installed capacity by developing new solar power stations, thereby achieving energy autonomy from South Africa. This power station is part of those efforts.[2][5]
See also
Notes
- ^ Also referred to as Maun Solar Thermal Power Station
References
- ^ a b Brian Benza, Bhargav Acharya and Kirsten Donovan (9 May 2022). "Botswana invites bids to build 200 MW solar plant". Reuters.com. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ a b Anita Anyango (15 February 2022). "Botswana launches tenders for two thermodynamic solar power plants". Pumps-Africa.com. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Google. "Road Distance Between Maun, Botswana And Gaborone, Botswana" (Map). Google Maps. Google.
- ^ Kate Brush (6 September 2022). "Definition: What Is Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)". Techtarget.com. Newton, Massachusetts, United States. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (2 September 2022). "Botswana: Norway's Scatec signs for a 50 MWp solar park in Selibe-Phikwe". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
External links
- Botswana Power Corporation Official Webpage